Always helpful, friendly customer service! Well stocked with all things music, and very supportive of the local community.
Helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. It was a pleasure to visit.
Very helpful lady I wanted 2 songs for my daughter and she got them within 5 minutes amazing job
Great music selection for classical music. Friendly service.
Good selection. The customer service may be poor at times, so I would recommend having an idea or a list of items to support your search efforts. The sheet music is very disorganized, so I would plan to spend a few extra minutes searching for genre labels.
Great selection. Very friendly and helpful.
Required to sanitize my hands before entering her shop. I did not enter her shop! ( Had my vaccine, both.)4/12/23 No one wearing a mask in shop. There was no greeting hello etc just pointing to a bottle of sanitizer and saying you need to sanitize your hands first. I have been playing for 30 years and never handle someone else’s guitar or musical equipment unless my hands are washed. Just flat out rude. Seemed more concerned with flirting with the person at the counter. This is why more and more people are ordering on line. I always give locals in Pacific Grove first shot at my business and if a bad experience like with you , I order on line. Because of on line business, store ownes should be going above and beyond. On line is providing better prices, service and slection. Will be going to Amazon for my musical needs. As I was leaving your store I found a bag of marbles just outside of your door? Look familiar?
2. The Monterey Music Store
Address: 419 Alvarado St, Monterey, CA 93940 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
Friendly helpful knowledgeable staff. Great inventory of new & used stock.
This music store is Everthing you need for that next gig,,,or budding ‘Rock Star’,or Classic keyboardist,,,all the drums you could stack an play
It’s here in beautiful historic ,Monterey,Ca so come and check an exceptional store ,,exceptional people and if your lucky play catch with Austin the Wonder Dog,,, financing available,,,
Excellent experience here. John helped me set up my bass and put new strings on. He was super knowledgeable and helpful. Overall, good prices and selection. Plus there is a really cool shop dog that hangs in the store.
Service is fine and friendly. Prices are reasonable. Place is an absolute dive… So much potential to have a home, trendy music shop downtown. Really depressing to go there.
Nice variety of instruments, and I’m sure the lessons are good too.
When people say their prices are bad here, they should have looked a little deeper into things. I may not know music that well, but I do know basic business practices, and that got me out the door with a cheap, brand new guitar. I was in the market for my first guitar, and yes they were all a little expensive, BUT I had seen the sign outside their glass doors that says “we match or beat any price.” Boom. Done. You can’t lose when a place has a sign like that. Sometimes you gotta do a little research to get what you want (in this case, look at prices online at other stores), and then ask for what you want, instead of just taking in-store prices As the final word.
Wow what a waste of time . This place sucks, poor service, bad attitudes. Go anywhere else, just not there.
I have gone in several times I the past few years and each time my experience was the same. There prices are way out of line. They were ok to communicate with but compared to Grand Finale Musical Showcase they could not compete with Grand Finale Musical Show case in prices or the quality of instruments. They were out of touch. I remember when it was Alvarado Music. It was much better. It was much ore personable back then. Grand Finale Musical Showcase is a local online and mobile music business. They have the market cornered as far as low prices an high-end brands go. I found them in the yellow pages. I also love Wise Music in Salinas. They have an excellent selection of accessories and low priced instruments but lack the quality of Grand Finale Music Store. I bought what normally is close to $6000 in some stores for $2225 a Limited Edition Stradivarius Professional Model Big Apple 190 series. I also play alto sax and came across a $500 brillhardt Mouth Piece for $150. I am glad my son’s teacher let us know about Grand Finale. We could have never been able to find such quality at amazing prices I guess the owner’s overhead is lower being a mobile type of business with internet sales. Music Unlimited did put a set of strings onthat I bought from them on my electric gitar and that was cool!
Nice staff but didn’t correct my problem to the tune of $75
3. KurtHeisig Music
Address: 512 Polk St, Monterey, CA 93940 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
Kurt is incredible! I called Kurt to check out a new instrument I’d purchased on Ebay based on other reviews and his history with other esteemed musicians like Steve Adelstein and Claude Gordon, and I can’t put into words how happy I am that I did!
Kurt knows his stuff, and makes whatever is currently existing BETTER.
After meeting with him and looking over my newly purchased instrument, I decided to leave my older (yet loved!) instrument with Kurt to “freshen up” as well. He understands the instrument more than modern makers and corrected an ongoing issue other specialists couldn’t. He gets the physics involved in the instrument – it’s insane!
I also decided to take lessons with Kurt, since I’d played for a little over 20 years, but felt like I had plateaued. My first lesson was eye-opening. In the first two measures, he’d stopped me with suggestions on interpretation I’d never been able to think of on my own. Kurt doesn’t just teach how to play music, but how to interpret and portray music to an audience. He has completely lived up to my expectations, blown me away, and more!
Lastly, Kurt’s pricing is old school in the best possible way. My “half-hour” lesson is really the time it takes – some weeks, an hour; other weeks, two and a half hours.
Kurt cares about supporting up and coming musicians with the lessons of accomplished musicians. I not only get his guidance, but the guidance of those astounding musicians Kurt has had the honor and pleasure of working with. I am forever grateful for his knowledge and experience!
Thank you, Kurt!
World class instruments!
Kurt is flute knowledgeable and that is remarkable. His experience lies in Saxophones as he is an experienced player.
I find this to be a gem of the Bay Area. The owner is extremely personable, knowledgeable and is a business I have no problem supporting by patronage.
Don’t get trapped in a 2 hour conversation you won’t want to have.
4. Carmel Music Box Co
Address: SW corner Lincoln and, Ocean Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
Loved the lady! Had to buy a music box, it was way to beautiful not to.
Great place wonderful selection of unique treasures. Love the owner, so knowledgeable
Great items for great prices. One of a kind presents can be found here.
Cute little shop
Dismissive store owner as you explore the store and she talks with her friends outside. I only like to support small businesses that actually care about their craft and the customers that come in. Her response is amazing because it basically shows her nature. I am not looking for her to squeeze every dollar from us. I was looking for respect when someone enters your store out of all the other stores one could go in the area. We had yours on the list bookmark. But felt the service was so poor. We had no interest in even staying in the shop.
Great shop. It’s always worth a visit. Tons of genres. I rarely leave empty handed
Nice little record shop with a good selection and a good price range.
Great store really cool owner and a lot of old goodys picked up 5 on this stop in 15 min a must stop for vinyl collectors
Right off of Lighthouse Ave, a good sized vinyl and cd selection. Picked up a few obscure NiN singles for $7 each. Pleasant staff and decent prices, definitely will be on my list to go back to when I am in town next.
Small but well curated offerings.
Great selection of records and discs. Lots of vintage and rare stuff.
No. Don’t go to this place. First off, I couldn’t find anyone to help me for 10 minutes. When I did get help, the owner is cranky and isn’t friendly. I asked for help and he blew me off. Not to mention, the store was messy and it smelled. I won’t come back.
I guess it depends on what you’re looking for but this place doesn’t hit it for me. Prices are high – especially on the “collectible” records. Which BTW are kept separately from the jackets so if you want to look at something, you have to ask. They seem nice enough but it doesn’t wow me.
Store is very messy and used records are usually pretty beat with laughable asking prices. Owner has a major attitude like people owe him something for existing. He has no sense of building community and is kind of a jerk. I try to spend money here but dealing with the owner is not worth it. If you’re gonna support a local record store I’d advise checking out Bob at Vinyl Revolution so you can talk to someone that is actually passionate about music and knows his records.
9. Vinyl Revolution
Address: 309 B, 309 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
I always hit a local record store when traveling and this store is a gem. Prices are reasonable, vinyl was in very good shape, the store was organized with funny sections that I appreciated and the owner, Bob was a really cool dude. Cool vibe and selection.
Ahhh the memories…..good selection, great prices.
Bob is super cool!!! Very friendly and fun to talk with!!..Awesome record shop!!
Nice record store, nice owner. Although we didn’t make a deal with the records I brought in,,
Nice store, big selection, new arrivals section, records as low as 1.89
Records, Comics, cool artwork from years of local concert events. Bob is your “go to” guy for Metal, he has been involved in many aspects of the Industry. Friendly and knowledgeable, sometimes they have used receivers and turntables for sale.
Well they have records thats about it. Looks as if they bought a lot of random records and put them on shelves.
Inventory fluctuates..dont visit much due to lack of punk and metal..
10. Dominic Camany Music Academy
Address: 705 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
I took guitar lessons with Brian and he was the best! He was super easy to learn from and I had a great time working with him!
Jeremy is a compassionate, kind, and patient person. My son is lucky to have him as a piano teacher. He has a deep understanding of what makes a person a great teacher.
My son is taking drum lessons with Aaron. My son’s skill level has increased exponentially and I appreciate his teacher for motivating him to practice without me telling him to do so.
Aaron is amazing at bringing out the best in my son, makes learning fun while incorporating the essentials of music theory. It is difficult finding teachers who can relate to students and bring out the best in them, very grateful I am for Dominic Camany Music and Aaron, the drum teacher.
11. Monarch Music
Address: 568 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
Assessment: ★★★★★
5/5 based on 1 evaluations.
Reviews
Michaela is a wonderful teacher and I would recommend her to anyone trying to learn piano!
12. Emma Bartlett Music Studio
Address: 215 Grand Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
I feel that I am in good hands with Emma. She is highly professional and pays close attention to detail. As I’m learning to play the piano, she is patiently coaching me on all of the correct fundamentals.
Emma is a great teacher. She is professional, knowledgeable, caring, and patient. Last year when my son started to lose interest in the piano, and I was seriously thinking about quitting his lesson, I began to send him to her. Since then, he has improved considerably and got motivated to practice every day and learn more. I was impressed by her detailed instructions and training in theory and sight reading. She also gives her students opportunities to develop their passion and confidence in music by performing in front of an audience at various events. I’m glad to have her as my son’s music teacher.
Both of our children have percussion lessons with Emma. She is nothing short of amazing. She is everything one could wish for in an instructor: impeccable credentials, organized, thorough, complete and timely in communications, she knows how to set a goal and support a student in achieving that goal, she has professional standards for students AND is kind and enthusiastic in her encouragement, she is great at selecting repertoire, helping students with performances, providing lesson notes immediately after lessons, realistic when ‘life’ interrupts schedules, and so much more. She does all of this with a smile and confidence that must come from doing something that she loves. We feel privileged and grateful to get her time every week.
13. the Wright Studio
Address: 4 Wright Pl, Monterey, CA 93940 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
recently discovered music zone and it is a excellent music shop for how small it is love the CD selections it gets me excited walking in there because you never know what might turn up owner is super nice the store will order you a album incase you haven’t found it yet or really want it highly recommend any music lover to go down there and check it out they also carry vinyl
Nice little shop. Great CD selection, a small but good vinyl selection. If you like twelve inch singles, then you definitely need to make a visit here.
Nice shop..needs more punk and metal on vinyl..otherwise good selection of movies and CDs
This store has a wide variety of CD’s, cassettes, and vinyl records to choose from. And while the selection is great, I felt as if me and my aunt were ignored by the owners and/or workers in this store. It felt as if they didn’t even know we were even there and did not even mention anything as simple as a hello or anything. They were simply too busy talking with others about other things. It confuses me since others who entered the store were greeted upon entering, but me and my aunt were not acknowledged at all. Me and my aunt ended up leaving without buying anything, but that shouldn’t prevent you from checking out their store, there is a great selection of music there, I just did not like the experience that we had.
15. Mourlam Piano Lessons
Address: 146 12th St, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
Awesome selection of hard to find memorabilia..This Place Rocks
Amazing selection of vinyl, the cd selection was very lacking, would love to see the cd selection expanded
Casi no tiene para mexicanos
Lots of variety but prices are too high on most items..
Very good selection: all new and popular albums. After reading other people’s reviews I figured they’d be the same price online so I decided I’d check this place out. They were right in the sense that no vinyl had a set price on it. When you ring out, the cashier doesn’t even tell you how much each one is just tells you your total. They overcharged around $10 or more on every vinyl. It wasn’t until I had to ask the cashier myself how much it was that they gave me the correct pricing. Cool place I guess but because of the overpriced records, I recommend just buying them online as it would save you a considerable amount of money. Will not be returning.
HORRIBLE, THESE PEOPLE ALSO OPERATE INTERNET SALES UNDER THE NAME RAREWAVES US & RAREWAVES UK, EXPLAINS THE “F” RATING WITH THE BBB
Rude and seemingly dishonest.
18. Carmel Recording Studios
Address: 3706 The Barnyard, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
I’ve been one of Stu Heydon’s students for 15 years. It doesn’t matter what your age or experience with guitar is. He is a master of his craft. Not only is he an incredible guitarist, he is one of the kindest humans you will ever meet. He does so much work for the musical community across the penninsula and is well regarded. If the door is open and you hear him jamming, poke your head in and say hi. He is incredibly welcoming and is always looking to teach blues.
19. Kenny Stahl Music
Address: Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921 , Del Monte Forest , California , United States
